Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs, North Coast, 2009

The Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs, which means “white from black,” is the counterpart to the Blanc de Blancs and is made primarily from the red grape Pinot Noir. This brut sparkling wine is made from 91% Pinot Noir and 9% Chardonnay. Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, producing the first such American sparkler in 1967.

Making a white wine from a red grape requires great care to prevent the skins from imparting their color to the wine. A balance of bright flavors, crisp acidity and minimal tannins is achieved. Barrel and malolactic fermentation of particular wine lots add richness and body. Yeast contact in the bottle harmonizes all the elements together in a mature, toasty style. The youthful fruit character of the wine will develop and soften with additional age in the bottle. With proper storage, this sparkling wine will be delicious for many years to come.

The 2009 Blanc de Noirs has lively aromas of guava and fresh peach that lead way to subtle aromas reminiscent of a briar berry patch. The fruitful nose is complemented by warm almond and salted toffee. The palate is generous and bursting with flavors of Rainier cherry and fresh watermelon, followed by baked orange and fresh sourdough bread. The finish is long and lingering with a snappy acidity. This wine is particularly well-suited to serve with a variety of foods, including soft and nutty cheeses, macadamia nut-crusted halibut, and pork tenderloin with fresh rosemary and lemon thyme. 90 points Wine Spectator

When checking out be sure to specify how you'd like to receive your wines: local pickup in downtown Delray Beach, local delivery for orders over $250, or shipping